Abstract
The use of the matrix has been considered an important factor in landscape ecology, as it can change the relationship of the population with the configuration of the landscape. There are indications that the usability of the matrix is a factor that can help mitigate the effect of further fragmentation. Using a systematic way to assess the effect of matrix quality in fragmented landscapes could lead to a better understanding of this system. We built a computational individual based model capable of simulate bi-dimensional landscapes and individuals that inhabit that landscape. We explored how changes in the level of fragmentation and matrix quality affected time of permanence of a single population in the landscape. As the quality of the matrix changes from very unsuitable to very suitable, the number of situations in which fragmentation reduces the time of permanence of the population changes from frequent to rare. In addition, as most of the organisms can survive in a sub-optimum habitat, the cases in which fragmentation has real effect on populations’ permanence are even fewer then stated by Fahrig. The result indicates that the proportion of intermediate habitat necessary to suppress fragmentation effect should follow the percentage of usability of these intermediate habitat until it falls under 50% of usability, and with less than 30% of usability, intermediate habitats are not able to suppress fragmentation effect. An index to measure the usability of elements of the matrix should be an important tool relating computational models and landscape management.
Competing Interest Statement
The authors have declared no competing interest.